immunological surveillance

immunological surveillance

the constant monitoring by the immune system of microorganisms, foreign tissue, and diseases caused by altered cells, especially cancer cells. Also called immune surveillance,immunosurveillance.

immunological surveillance

The theory that the immune system destroys some malignant cells as they grow in the body. Support for this theory is found in research data that show tumor cells killed by cytotoxic T lymphocytes, natural killer cells, and perhaps, activated macrophages.

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